Affordable liver transplant for children now available

MANILA, Philippines — Affordable transplant is now available for poor children suffering from liver diseases, the Department of Health (DOH) said yesterday.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque said the DOH has forged an agreement with the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) and The Medical City (TMC) to provide support for pediatric patients with medical conditions requiring liver transplant.

Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go witnessed the signing ceremony held in Malacañang.

Duque explained that, under the agreement, patients and their families can approach Malasakit Centers, which will act as hubs for Pediatric Access to Liver Transplantation (PAsLiT) and facilitate referrals for appropriate laboratory tests and other diagnostic procedures required for the transplant. The PAsLiT Hub is part of the nationwide expansion of services provided under Republic Act 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Center Act of 2019.

He added that patients will be thoroughly evaluated and TMC will be in charge of performing the procedure before the transplant.

The health chief also said that aligned patient groups, philanthropic non-governmental organizations and institutions, and other relevant stakeholders would also provide assistance that include organizing capacity-building and empowerment initiatives for patient families, among others.

“This landmark undertaking will have a great impact on children who are commonly affected by debilitating liver diseases,” Duque noted.

He said it would also contribute to the overall goal of Universal Health Care to provide better quality of life through access to affordable and quality medical services.

Duque added that the DOH is committed to uphold the right of all Filipinos to healthy lives free from debilitating illnesses such as liver cirrhosis, hepatitis and biliary atresia.